Berhampur: A 70-year-old beggar, who had donated her life savings to a temple in 2022 to a Jagannath temple in Phulbani, Kandhamal district, has earned a place in the central govt's 2025 calendar, sharing space with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tula Behera, affectionately called Tula mausi, made headlines in Dec 2022 when she donated Rs 1 lakh to the temple. The funds, collected through years of seeking alms near the temple, were contributed towards the renovation of the dilapidated structure.
The photograph, featuring Behera shaking hands with PM Modi, appears on the Jan page of the official calendar, which was released by Union minister for railways and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Jan 6. The image captures their meeting during Modi's visit to Phulbani during election campaigning on May 11 last year.
During the interaction, the PM was visibly moved by Behera's selfless donation and sought her blessings to serve the nation. "She wants nothing, except the blessings of Lord Jagananth. After getting blessings from such a mother, I am inspired to serve the country and its people," the PM had said.
"I want nothing except Lord Jagannath's blessings," Behera told reporters upon learning about her photograph being featured in the calendar. She has appealed to the PM to establish an ashram near the temple for other beggars.
The calendar also features BJP leader and Phulbani councillor Ramesh Chandra Mohanty, who served as translator during the PM's interaction with Behera. "This selection shows the PM's affection for Odisha, particularly Kandhamal district, regardless of people's social status," Mohanty said. The meeting also included an interaction with Padma Shree recipient Purnabashi Jani, another elderly resident of Kandhamal.